Jump mat

ABSTRACT

A jump map designed for improving exercise technique by addressing the current issues relating to relative movement and placement of the body parts of an individual on the mat and is made of high-density foam that is shock absorbing and waterproof.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a jump mat. In particular, it relates to a jump mat with parallel reference lines so a user can see where their arms, legs, or body need to be in relationship to the mat and other body parts.

Description of Related Art

The use of a mat for exercising on has been available for some time. There are dozens of variations of materials and sizes that can be used depending on the exercise being performed, such as high impact, low impact, yoga, and the like. When exercise is intense, such as high impact exercises, speed and agility movements, plyometrics, and the like, a mat designed to absorb shock is necessary.

A particular problem with high impact mats, such as a jump mat, is that the intensity of an exercise or movement can vary greatly depending on the exercise. It is important that each exercise is done identical every time. It can be virtually impossible to determine if the exercise an individual is repeatedly engaged in is being done correctly. It would be highly desirable to have a jump mat that has been improved upon that addresses the issues relating to relative movement and placement of body parts of an individual on the mat.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a jump mat designed for improving exercise technique, with equally spaced lines that function to give visual reference for the placement of hands, feet, or other body parts repetitively on the same spot every time. The mat will be made of a high-density foam, like PVC, that is shock absorbing and waterproof.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, there is a jump mat designed for improving exercise technique comprising:

-   -   a) a rectangular mat having a top and a bottom, two parallel         side edges, and a parallel top and bottom edge, the mat         constructed from a high-density, shock absorbing foam         constructed so as to be waterproof; and     -   b) a plurality of parallel lines drawn on the top of the mat,         placed parallel to the top and bottom edges, drawn connecting         the two parallel side edges, and spaced between about 6 and 12         inches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a jump mat of the present invention, having eight parallel lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below; like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar, or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings. This detailed description defines the meaning of the terms used herein and specifically describes embodiments in order for those skilled in the art to practice the invention.

Definitions

The terms “about” and “essentially” mean±10 percent.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or as more than one. The terra “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or as more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

The term “comprising” is not intended to limit inventions to only claiming the present invention with such comprising language. Any invention using the term comprising could be separated into one or more claims using “consisting” or “consisting of” claim language and is so intended.

Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment” “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment”, or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.

The term “or”, as used herein, is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B, or C” means any of the following: “A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps, or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.

The drawings featured in the figures are for the purpose of illustrating certain convenient embodiments of the present invention and are not to be considered as limitation thereto. The term “means” preceding a present participle of an operation indicates a desired function for which there is one or ore embodiments, i.e., one or more methods, devices, or apparatuses for achieving the desired function and that one skilled in the art could select from these or their equivalent in view of the disclosure herein, and use of the term “means” is not intended to be limiting.

As used herein, the term “jump mat” refers to a mat designed for vertical jumping and that cushions the impact when an individual lands on the mat. Typically, they are made of shock absorbing, high-density foam that is waterproof. In the present invention, a jump mat is modified for doing repetitive exercises that may or may not involve jumping, but require exacting placement of hands, feet, and other body parts on a repetitive basis, where the exact placement of body parts leads to more productive exercise. This is accomplished via a plurality of parallel lines drawn so as to give visual reference for repetitive motion on the mat. The extra padding allows for repetitive exercise, which can include some degree of high impact, other than just jumping.

As used herein, the term “improving exercise technique” refers to placement of the feet, hands, and other body parts on the mat in a repetitive manner, and wherein use of the lines on the mat serve to keep those placements relatively the same way, same space, or same location.

As used herein, the term “rectangular mat” refers to a high impact mat having a top and a bottom, two parallel side edges, and a parallel top and bottom edge, the mat constructed from a high-density, shock absorbing foam constructed so as to be waterproof. Such high-density closed cell foams are well known. Some may be coated to be waterproof, while others are waterproof in and of themselves. Typically, such mats are of a thickness between about one eighth of an inch to about one inch.

As used herein, the term “high-density, shock absorbing foam” refers to foam that is usually closed cell with high weight per cubic foot. High-density foam has a strong cell structure, which makes the material highly durable and long-lasting. It can be waterproof in and of itself or coated to be waterproof.

As used herein, the term “waterproof” refers to a coating on the foam or the foam itself being impervious to water.

As used herein, the term “parallel lines drawn” refers to parallel lines drawn on the top of the mat, placed parallel to the top and bottom edges, drawn connecting the two parallel side edges, and spaced between about 6 and 12 inches. Drawn refers to drawn with paint or markers, printed, decals, taped, or the like on the top of the mat, as long as they meet the above-mentioned criteria for placement. In general, the line will be between about 1 and 2 inches in width.

DRAWINGS

Now referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a top view of a mat 1 of the present invention. Mat 1 has two parallel sides 2 and 3, the sides forming the length of the mat. The mat also has parallel top and bottom edges 4 and 5, which together form a rectangular mat.

The mat 1 has a plurality of parallel drawn lines 6 (eight lines shown in the FIGURE) drawn on mat 1, the lines being parallel to the top and bottom edges 4 and 5, drawn between each of the two parallel sides 2 and 3, and evenly spaced apart 8. The parallel drawn lines 6 define areas 9, separated by the parallel drawn lines 6. In this view, each of areas 9 has a number 10 or symbol 11, identifying the areas 9.

Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make modifications resulting in other embodiments employing principles of the present invention without departing from its spirit or characteristics, particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description or drawings. Consequently, while the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, modifications of structure, sequence, materials, and the like apparent to those skilled in the art still fall within the scope of the invention as claimed by the applicant. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A jump mat designed for improving exercise technique comprising: a) a rectangular mat having a top and a bottom, two parallel side edges, and a parallel top and bottom edge, the mat constructed from a high-density, shock absorbing foam constructed so as to be waterproof; and b) a plurality of parallel lines drawn on the top of the mat, placed parallel to the top and bottom edges, drawn connecting the two parallel side edges, and spaced between about 6 and 12 inches.
 2. The jump mat designed for improving exercise technique according to claim 1, wherein there are at least one of symbols, numbers, and letters identifying the space between any 2 parallel lines.
 3. The jump mat designed for improving exercise technique according to claim 1, wherein there are between 4 and 8 parallel lines drawn on the mat.
 4. The jump mat designed for improving exercise technique according to claim 1, wherein the long edge is between 60 and 96 inches in length and the top and bottom edges are between 20 and 48 inches in length. 